Mattel is now offering some of their last 6″ DC figures, which includes Batman, The Joker and Poison Ivy exclusively at Target. Batman and Joker are inspired by the 1989 Toybiz figures and given a modern update to those classic figures.
Thank you to Mattel for providing their DC Comics Originals Batman, Joker, and Poison Ivy Figures for review.
Availability: August 2019 – Target Exclusive
Each figure is packaged on a standard DC Multiverse window box with the logo’s, figure images on the sides, images of the figures on the back as well as a bio above it.
Batman is given a modern update to the classic 1989 Batman figure from Toybiz had put out. While the vintage figure had a retractable utility belt that plugged into the back of the battering, and the new one for 2019 has a hole at the end for the peg connected to the rope and batarang through it and its designed as if the batarang is fired from it. The utility belt on the new Batman figure also does not have the retractable feature that the vintage figure had. The accessories are also based on the 1989 vintage ones and these are a great homage to that. Batman is also given a modern sculpt for the DC Multiverse line and captures a decent likeness to the 1989 Batman figure. This updated figure however looks closer to a Michael Keaton batsuit he wore in the film. The utility belt does not have retractable feature, which would have been an awesome thing if they had pulled that off, and the boots are also nicely detailed and better represent the Michael Keaton Batman boots and forearms from the film. The muscular tone of the body fits in with DC Multiverse, as well as Michael Keaton’s physique from the film. The logo is nicely done and painted on with nicely done crisp lines. The bottom of the cowl however is slightly different being that it doesn’t come down further than what the Toybiz figure had and in the film. The back of it above the cape however is more accurate to what the vintage figure had. He also has a cloth cape that has a fuzzy material on the front and smooth in the back, which is different than what the vintage figure had. The head sculpt is nicely done and pays homage to the classic 1989 Batman figure, so its more toy accurate over movie as this release should be. The paint applications on the face are nicely done with crisp lines.
Batman’s articulation includes a ball jointed head, ball hinged shoulders, swivel-hinged elbows, swivel-hinged wrists, ab crunch, swivel waist, ball jointed hips, swivel thighs, double-hinged knees, hinged and rocker ankles.
Joker is also an update from the 1989 Toybiz line and is sculpted in his purple jacket, blue vest with black buttons a gold shirt, a blue tie, buttons on the lower part of the jacket on the back, and purple pants with pin stripes that are sculpted on. The flower on his chest can be swapped out with the one that can hold the acid that can burst from the flower with the hole in it. This recreates the vintage feature that had the figure capable to shooting water from the flower, and now instead of that, he is given interchangeable parts. The back of the acid piece is hollow, and this is made of a hard plastic. The Joker cane is nicely done with the Joker head with the jester hat that has jingle bells. The skull detail on the cape is also nicely done with the teeth and socket eyes. Jokers head sculpt is nicely done with the green hair, green eye brows, white face paint and red lipstick and white teeth, and that Joker smile is definitely one of the best features about this figure.
Joker’s articulation includes a ball hinged neck that allows the head to move up and down further than a ball joint, ball hinged shoulders, double-hinged elbows, swivel-hinged wrists, ab crunch, swivel waist, ball jointed hips, swivel thighs, double-hinged knees, hinged and rocker ankles.
Poison Ivy is sculpted and painted in her classic green outfit with various shades of green that work well for the character, and there is some sculpted leaves on the upper part and lower of her shirt on the front and back. Ideally, this should have been completely covered in sculpted textures just like the box art shows, but the figure was left mostly smooth for her outfit. Her facial details are nicely done with the red hair with a wash, green lips, light brown eye lashes, and the eyes are stamped with nice details. Poison Ivy has two short, and two long vines that connect and wrap around her legs and arms. These vines are fragile and can break apart rather easily. So be extra careful! Her crossbow is nice done with sculpted details but feels a little too big for this figure, and Mattel probably should have given her a repainted crossbow that came with Huntress or someone else. This crossbow, while looking good, may have worked better with a bigger more solid figure that can hold it better.
Poison Ivy’s articulation includes a ball jointed head, ball hinged shoulders, swivel-hinged elbows, swivel-hinged wrists, ab crunch, swivel waist, ball jointed hips, swivel thighs, double-hinged knees, hinged and rocker ankles.
Overall, this DC Originals wave gives fans some long overdue updates to some classic figures that you may have owned back in 1989. The Joker is definitely the best figure of this wave given his great likeness and all of that great sculpted and detail. Batman not given a retractable utility belt is rather disappointing as that was the most memorable feature about the vintage figure. If they couldn’t re-create the feature, something should have been attached to the belt to wind it up. Poison Ivy is decent but more sculpted textures on her shirt would have been ideal given that is what is shown on the packaging. This is definitely a nice looking wave regardless and one that you should pick up while you can.
Purchase:
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